Neidert says mean age at first childbirth varies in the U.S. by state, affecting regional fertility rates

This piece on what drives trends in U.S. birthrates looks at shifts toward older ages at first births for American women as a potential cause. Lisa Neidert says it's important to consider average age at childbirth by region. She says that while the most common age to have a first child in the northeastern states is 30-34, in Oklahoma and Arkansas women typically have their first child when they are in their early 20s. Starting younger increases the likelihood of having a bigger family, which is why the fertility rate is significantly higher in the West than in the northeast.